Jeffrey Allen Brannon appeared before Magistrate Lora Davis for a scheduled preliminary hearing in cases 24-M07F00004 charging DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Child Neglect with Serious Bodily Injury. The charges were dismissed at the onset of the hearing with Brannon now facing the charges of 24-M07F-00007 The new charges as detailed in the criminal complaint filed by Brian E. Young are:
- DUI Resulting in Serious Injury (3 counts)
- Gross Child Neglect Resulting in Risk of Death (16 counts) and
- Child Neglect Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (3 counts)
Brannon appeared with court appointed counsel Daniel Minardi of the Public Defenders Corporation, Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Hicks and surrounded by Deputy Hannah Stephen’s, DNR Jonathan Holcomb, Trooper Brian Young, Deputy Jeff Hunt and DNR Charles Stephens. Security was tight at the courthouse with the front entrance requiring all courthouse visitors to step through the metal detector. It was an expected concern that families of the bus accident victims would attend the hearing with officers prepared for confrontations. However, only one victim and her mother appeared and sat quietly through the hearing directly across from Jeffrey Brannon.
With a delay in arrival, Ridgeview News had the time to speak with the victim and her mother, who came to face the bus driver and see what would happen with the hearing. The mother and daughter both set anxious, waiting more than thirty minutes for the jail transportation crew to deliver Brannon to the hearing. The mother said that March 4th was the worst day of her life as she heard from her sister that her daughter was in the accident and waited for her sister to arrive on scene and to find out how seriously her daughter was hurt. The 17 year old suffered injury to her arm and ankle, as well as the emotional side of the incident. Today was the first day she had been able to return to riding the bus to school.
Following the advisement of the new charges and penalties he would be facing, Jeffrey Brannon’s bond was increased from the former $200,000 to now $750,000. Attorney Daniel Minardi informed Magistrate Davis that he would likely file a Preliminary Hearing Waiver allowing the case to be sent to Calhoun Circuit Court for further action.
If convicted of Child neglect resulting in injury Brannon will face a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $3,000 or imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than ten years, or both for each offense.
If convicted of child neglect resulting in risk of serious bodily injury or death for each of the 16 counts, Brannon will face a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $3,000 dollars or imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than five years.
For the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury Brannon faces imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than two nor more than 10 years and shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $3,000 dollars and shall have his license to operate a motor vehicle revoked by the the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles for a period of five years or a period of time conditioned on participation in the test and lock program.
Brannon is scheduled to appear for his preliminary hearing on March 21st unless his attorney waives his right to have a preliminary hearing heard in Magistrate Court.
WSAZ 3 and WCHS channel 8 were in court today to cover the story.
